At the end of a year when the government has promised to offer a better deal for carers, it's ironic that the latest statistics show them to be worse off than ever. And it is appropriate that the focus of Carers Rights Day (December 5) is 'Making the Most of Your Money.'

The recent survey of 1700 carers, carried out by Carers UK, has revealed that 86% say they are poorer today than they were a year ago and that 65% are living in fuel poverty (spending more than 10% of their income spent on fuel). One of the most vulnerable sectors of society has been hit hardest by rising living costs and the economic downturn.

The present crisis is affecting everyone. Job losses rise daily and many people face difficulties keeping up with mortgages and bills. However, most carers were already struggling to make ends meet and often don't have savings to fall back on. Caring is usually a long-term commitment and for those who rely on benefits, any savings are rapidly consumed in daily living costs.

More than half of the respondents to the poll reported having to cut back on food to cover the rising costs of fuel and utility bills. Looking after someone at home offers little opportunity to reduce heating bills or journeys to the doctor or hospitals and as a result, carers have higher fixed costs than others. But unlike others, they have fewer opportunities to increase their income through additional employment. Even when the economy was buoyant they were stretched to their limits. What was already a bad situation for carers is now turning into a financial crisis.

A Bath taxi driver, Ben Gillow, gave up his nine to five office job some years ago to be on hand during the day to care for his wife, a sufferer of advanced rheumatoid arthritis. Recently his income has noticeably fallen. Earlier in the summer this was due to rising fuel costs and there is now a drop in fares due to the economic slump.

"Ideally, I'd like to be on the road a bit longer to make up the difference," he says. "But I still need to care for my wife and there simply aren't enough hours in the day."

The National Carers Strategy, published in June, pledged that by 2018 carers should not face financial hardship because of their caring role. But to fulfil this promise, there is an urgent need for the government to publish a plan and timeframe to ensure that more is done to help those carers both in work and on benefits.

This latest survey offers a bleak illustration of a group of people struggling to survive. And yet it is universally agreed that they provide essential help to those who need it at the same time as saving enormous sums of money to both the health and social services.

Carers are the bedrock of their communities and their needs should be championed during economic difficulties, not overlooked.